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Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Royal Profile: Princess Sofia of Sweden, The Duchess of Värmland

Princess Sofia of Sweden, The Duchess of Värmland was born as Sofia Hellqvist on 6 December 1984 in Täby, Sweden, but grew up in Älvdalen, Dalarna, Sweden as the daughter of Erik and Marie Hellqvist{Source}.

Sofia studied accounting with computer application, specializing in business development, at the Institute of English and Business in New York {Source}. Sofia has also studied various courses such as global ethics, child and youth science, children’s communication and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in theory and in Swedish practice at Stockholm University{Source}.

During her time in New York, Sofia also studied at YTTP, Yoga To The People, to become a certified yoga instructor. She was also involved in setting up a yoga centre{Source}. During September and October 2009, Sofia carried out voluntary work in Ghana. She visited orphanages and helped build a centre for women{Source}. In 2010, Sofia founded the organisation Project Playground, together with Frida Vesterberg{Source}.

Project Playground is a non-profit organisation that helps vulnerable children and young people in areas and townships outside Cape Town, South Africa, primarily in Langa, which is the oldest township in the area{Source}. Project Playground strengthens children’s personal and social development via support programs and organised activities{Source}. With a focus on children and young people’s leisure time and the individual, Project Playground creates a safe platform and meeting place with activities and programs, run by adults that act as leaders and role models{Source}. The business has a total of 29 employees (26 in South Africa) and is one of the largest employers in the township of Langa{Source}. Sofia is President of Project Playground, and Frida Vesterberg is Vice President{Source}.

In addition to her charitable efforts, she has attended numerous official events. In 2013, she attended Princess Madeleine and Chris O'Neil's wedding festivities (pre-wedding dinner,actual wedding ceremony) and In 2014, she was present at her soon-to-be niece's christening {Photos} and her soon-to-be sister-in-law's name day in July {Photos}.

Hellqvist and Prince Carl Philip began dating sometime in early 2010. In August 2010, the Swedish Royal Court confirmed the relationship publicly{Source}. She and Prince Carl Philip had moved in together, residing at Villa Solbacken since the death of Princess Lilian last year.

Their engagement was announced on 27 June 2014, and a wedding is being planned for 13 June 2015 {Source}. In October 2015, it was announced that she and Prince Carl Philip are expecting their first child in the spring of 2016{Source}. On 19 April 2016, she gave birth to their first child: